Reader's Garden Cafe

What:

Pricing |

Payment |

Interac, MasterCard, Visa, Cash

Where:

Neighbourhood |

Calgary

Getting There |

The parking lot is on the south side of 25 Avenue, immediately east of the LRT tracks, and south of the Erlton LRT Station. Park in the lot and walk southeast through the rock garden, uphill to the house. The Café is on the main level of the Reader House.

When:

Profile Last Updated: January 15, 2008

A Garden OasisWilliam Roland Reader was the Superintendent of Calgary Parks from 1913 – 1942. During that time he and his family lived in a house on a hill in Union Cemetery, just south of the Stampede Grounds. As was the rage among gardeners of that era, Mr. Reader created a rock garden on the hill beneath the house. In that rock garden he planted and lovingly tended some four thousand plants over the years, many of which were exotics imported specifically for the garden. After his retirement, the house was demolished and the garden fell into a state of disuse. In 2004, funds were allocated to rebuild the garden and the residence as a Legacy Park. The house was rebuilt using the identical plans of the original, and in 2006 the ground floor of the “new” house became the home for Reader’s Garden Café.

A Traditional Tea RoomReader’s Garden Café has the atmosphere of a traditional tea room. It can accommodate about forty patrons, serving them in the café and the attached veranda. The menu is referred to as regional garden fare, and reflects seasonally fresh produce. Items featured include garden-inspired soups, tomato and brie salad, squash and dill blinis with smoked trout, paninis with various fillings, vegetable cannelloni, and baked pacific salmon.

A Walk in the ParkThe rock garden tended by Mr. Reader has been reconstructed and rehabilitated by Parks personnel according to the original plans. Blooms begin to appear in mid-March and the garden is tended until mid-November, weather permitting. A walk through this historic landmark is an appropriate part of your outing to Reader’s Garden Café.